Enjoyable, fellowship, and health encourage some Kentuckians to do-si-do

From the Kentucky Kuzzins to the Wheeler Dealers and Scrambled Legs, there are a number of completely different sq. dance golf equipment in Kentucky. While there are quite a few bodily and psychological advantages to sq. dancing, it’s the enjoyable and fellowship that preserve most of the dancers returning to do-si-do.

  In October, Dianna Schweitzer turned 60 years previous and determined to have fun by internet hosting a sq. dance. She mentioned the final time she participated in sq. dancing, she was within the fourth grade, nevertheless it was memorable, and she or he thought it will be enjoyable.

“And it’s only a method of mingling with all people. I simply thought it was a pleasant technique to have group whereas dancing,” said Schweitzer.

 It’s an activity some people enjoy regularly because they crave that community connection. On a recent Saturday evening, several people from Northern Kentucky and a few folks from Ohio who belong to square dance clubs spent about two hours on their feet following square dance directions in a room at an area civic center. Caller Pam Courts instructed about 32 people at a time which way to turn, bow, and swing their partners.  Courts has been calling square dances for about 36 years. She said the sport attracts a variety of people.

 ”It attracts a lot of engineers and educators, people who always want to keep learning. In a two-and-a-half-hour dance, you can do the equivalent of a 5-mile walk, but it doesn’t feel like it because you’re playing around and having a good time,” said Courts.

Wearing a maroon prime and white pants, Fran Naegel has quick white hair. The 85-year-old’s been sq. dancing since 1990. She began together with her husband, who has since died. But she continues to bounce three nights per week.

Naegel explains why she sq. dances.

“Cause I love it. I broke my hip the first of September. Three weeks later, I was square dancing,” mentioned Naegel.

The gown code is informal, however Diana Sova wears a full skirt with a floral sample. It flares out when she twirls.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s good exercise without thinking about exercise,” said Sova.

On this night, the dancers’ ages range from 45 to 90. Vickie Reinhardt, Jon Zipf, and Linda McAtee tell what keeps them coming back.

“There’s a lot of camaraderie in it. If you happen to miss a dance, usually there’s somebody that will follow up and call on you and say, How are you doing?” We missed you on the dance. Are you okay?” defined Reinhardt.

“It’s a group of family, friends. It’s a fun activity. There’s always food to eat,” mentioned Zipf.

“It makes you think. And it’s a social thing,” mentioned McAtee.

 Dee Dlugonski, Assistant Professor within the Department of Health and Clinical Sciences on the University of Kentucky, mentioned there are psychological and bodily advantages to the dance, and it’s essential to recollect the advantages of getting enjoyable whereas sq. dancing.

“I think that the cognitive benefits from remembering routines and doing all the steps in order. We often hear recommendations about puzzling or cognitive word games, and this is a form of that cognitive functioning that people are staying sharp, not only physically but mentally, through this activity too,” mentioned Dlungonski.

  In central Kentucky, retired Fayette County School bus driver Rein Nabar has loved calling sq. dances since 2009. The 75-year-old additionally teaches sq. dancing twice per week. On this Saturday, he recorded his final class for this yr, however mentioned he’ll begin courses up once more on January sixth.

Nabar mentioned there’s Traditional and Modern Western-style sq. dancing.

“Traditional would be one that a person could walk into, and they would get taught what to do and have a fun night with some simple routines, and go home and forget about it until the next time. The Modern Western Style is built on a standardized group of calls that is used worldwide. So, you can actually travel to Japan, and they will use the same calls in English they do here,” mentioned Nabar.

  As for 60-year-old Diana Schweitzer, she’s wanting ahead to sq. dancing once more. She had a lot enjoyable at her sixtieth celebration and particularly appreciated how everybody stored smiling.

  “Nobody’s sad. Everybody’s happy. You can’t be sad and square dance at the same time, said Schweitzer.”